The Church and Protective orders.

[Zaaz]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MD

I volunteer at my church for the security team. My church has about 2000-2500 people at it during services. The team was created to help with emergencies and security issues that arise with a church of its size. Most of the team is staffed by church members who are off duty cops and firefighters.

An issue we have been dealing with lately is protective orders. Even in God's house people get nutty and can't get along with their current or former spouses/lovers/breeding partners. A few church goers have recently had protective orders put in place on the other person (both church goers and not). The subject being protected by the PO has informed the church leaders about the situation and gave permission to lets its volunteers know. The security team leaders are having a difficult time disseminating the PO info to its team members. They feel its private and cannot disclose it. So basically can the church tell its member volunteers about current court orders on others?

 

[Ohiogal]

POs are normally public knowledge. They are not secret. Being secret defeats the purpose of the CPO. So yes the information can be disseminated -- that there is a CPO protecting churchmember A from churchmember B. If B shows up while A is there, B must leave. Okay? That is all needs said. If B does NOT leave willingly, the police are to be called and informed of the situation.

 

[BL]

This isn't a situation such as a court appearance where one of the parties would inform the security of a PO of the other party appearing also .

In this case , the parties know what is expected of them as specified in the orders .

The church or affiliates should instruct the parties that this is NOT the churches responsibilities , and they should follow their orders .

End of discussion .